SWEDISH E-BUS SURGE
ELECTRIC FLEET LAUNCH
SATELLITE SUPPLY CHAIN BOOST
Solaris has secured contracts to deliver 88 electric buses to Swedish operator Nobina . The new fleet will include 55 Urbino 15 LE electric buses for Skåne , 15 for Värmland , and 18 articulated Urbino 18 electric buses for Malmö . Deliveries are slated for 2024 and 2025 .
Olivier Michard , Solaris ’ Sales and Marketing Board Member , emphasised the importance of this deal in promoting zeroemission solutions for urban and suburban transport . The Urbino 15 LE , designed for both urban and suburban routes , features a 240 kW motor and Solaris High Energy batteries with over 560 kWh capacity , ensuring day-long operation with overnight charging . The Urbino 18 electric , destined for Malmö , boasts a modular drive system and advanced battery technology .
Following last year ’ s agreements , including 55 buses for Stockholm and 23 for VR Kristianstad , Solaris continues to expand its footprint in Sweden ’ s sustainable transport landscape .
Zenobē has partnered with Big Bus Tours to roll out 20 electric open-top buses in London , transforming the city ’ s sightseeing experience . This move includes the installation of necessary charging infrastructure .
These new electric buses will serve iconic landmarks like Big Ben , Tower Bridge , and the Tower of London , aligning with the growing demand for greener tourism options . A recent survey found that 79 % of travelers want to use eco-friendly transport on holiday .
Zenobē is financing the e-buses in its first retrofit project , providing a Power Purchase Agreement ( PPA ) to help Big Bus manage energy costs more efficiently . The existing 10-year-old diesel buses are being converted to electric with 328 kWh LG Chem Batteries and powertrains by Equipmake Limited .
Additionally , Zenobē has installed 10 temporary Direct Current ( DC ) chargers at Big Bus ’ Wimbledon depot , allowing the fleet to operate in time for the busy tourist season . The final of the first 10 buses has just entered service , with the remaining 10 expected by year-end .
TCTEC Telecom is now leveraging Viasat ’ s satellite network to enhance monitoring and automation for fleet operators , even in remote locations . This partnership utilises Viasat ’ s powerful satellites to supercharge TCTEC ’ s Long Range ( LoRa ) Peer-to-Peer technology , allowing vehicle tracking , direct truck communication , and alert monitoring .
Based in Londrina , Southern Brazil , TCTEC Telecom boasts 81 offices across the country and over 20 years of expertise in satellite connectivity for public and private sectors . Their IoT solutions provide fleet operators with real-time supply chain visibility , vehicle monitoring , and fuel auditing to improve efficiency and reduce emissions .
Joining Viasat ’ s ELEVATE program , TCTEC gains access to Viasat ’ s reliable satellite connectivity and secure network infrastructure , enhancing their capacity and collaborating with Viasat ’ s ecosystem of partners .
28 ISSUE 47 JUNE 2024 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU